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After their previous underwhelming performance against Japan, the head coach told his Ireland squad to improve their game.

Ireland listened immediately.

Ireland had faded in the final stages against New Zealand and required considerable time to get going versus their Asian opponents.

Nevertheless, facing the Wallabies, they started strongly, with Mack Hansen shining brightest during a 46-19 triumph that marked Ireland's best performance of the season.

Making his first international start at the number 15 position, Hansen registered a three tries, contested brilliantly for high balls and performed exceptionally against the country of his birth.

"Look, I've experienced a fairly difficult period with injuries honestly," the athlete commented.

"I longed for being in this team, I understand there's much discussion about me not necessarily being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this group and this feels like home.

"Whenever I have to represent for Ireland it's a honor, if you don't put in a performance you may not receive that opportunity again.

"My whole focus this period was to go out and perform what I could do."

Manager declared: 'Excellent athletes don't need excuses'

After 28 appearances on the flank, Hansen was given the number 15 role for the first time with several teammates injured.

In his case, it was simply a matter of picking up where he left off during the warmer months.

The 28-year-old had been in superb condition before physical issues disrupted his aspiration of joining the international team.

Having come back last month, he suffered a foot problem that made him unavailable for earlier matches.

Farrell had indicated that the player was particularly determined and these proved not hollow words as the ex- club player gave his coach a welcome team headache for upcoming matches.

"Well my first thoughts were, 'You need to play excellently in those different colored shoes!'," said Farrell, referring to the player's choice to sport different boots.

"Actually I believed that was appropriate but it seems Mack just made that himself anyway. So he's drawn attention to himself before he's even started.

"I told to him before the match, 'Excellent players require no excuses, they can perform and just play naturally, you can win the man of the match if you choose,' and he went, 'Yeah, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that kind of performer, he prepares thoroughly, he's got a excellent approach to get across his preparation and thus that's why he slotted straight back in and he was able to perform naturally because of that."

Hansen's efforts also earned commendation from the opposing coach, who remarked he was the "exceptional Australian performer" on the evening.

"In my view he was outstanding, his experience was evident to the front," said the ex- international manager.

"Unfortunately, Mack was likely the standout opposition performer on the pitch. He's got a excellent ability and he's such a strong competitor."

When asked about what enables the player a strong option at the number 15 position, the coach added: "Showing up in the middle of the pitch is a trait that he demonstrates from the wing regardless, but I imagine he's better in position for that more often.

"His high ball play was excellent, don't you think? I thought we didn't get bored of doing the right approach and that was placing the ball back on them to secure territory.

"The reason that was the right thing to do is because it's the players of Hansen who was getting the possessions returned, and additional players, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

Outside Hansen, there were multiple positives for Farrell.

Another player was excellent on his comeback to the fly-half position, the set piece and throw-in operated effectively and another player did not appear uncomfortable in his first appearance in the front row.

But possibly most pleasing for Farrell was the team framing the match with multiple strong periods.

Hansen's initial two tries occurred in the opening eleven minutes while additional players scored in the final exchanges after the other team had scored, ensuring the Irish side finished on a positive note.

"I thought we truly let ourselves go and attacked the game straight from the word go," stated Farrell.

"The way we handled various elements throughout the match, particularly them responding just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and producing a display like we did in the later stages, I believed as far as territory and being familiar with the majority of our strategy in that later period was really pleasing."

The strength of South Africa are next up for the team, in what might be viewed as an unofficial conclusion to the previous season's drawn multiple match series on opposition soil.

Farrell's side will require to reach another level to beat the consecutive title holders, but Saturday's victory of the Australian team was a significant step in the right direction after an disappointing start to their autumn schedule.